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2016 President’s Gala a success for students

Friends of Lakeland College united in celebration of student success and helped to raise more than $30,000 for awards, scholarships and bursaries at the 2016 President’s Gala. Though the final numbers are still being tallied from the event, organizers are grateful for the incredible support garnered at the fourth annual President’s Gala on April 8.

“From the outstanding contributions of our sponsors to the tremendous generosity of our guests and how instrumental our students were in each aspect of organizing this event, the 2016 President’s Gala was a wonderful celebration. Thank you to everyone for supporting student achievement at Lakeland College,” says Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president of Lakeland College. “The success of this event will enable the college to enhance the student awards program.”

In the months leading up to the President’s Gala, students exercised their skills by providing live and silent auction items. Stephanie Wakefield, a university transfer pre-veterinary medicine student, and Lucas Tetreault, a heavy oil power engineering student, emceed the program. Students also welcomed guests, served the meal and assisted with the overall program.

“This event is a tremendous opportunity for our college friends to find out what we mean when we say our students are in the lead,” says Wainwright-Stewart. “You’ll often hear other colleges and universities say they are educating the leaders of tomorrow. At Lakeland, we’re not waiting for tomorrow. Our students are leading today.”

Gala guests were treated to an evening “under the sea” at the Lloydminster campus, complete with a four-course feast, live and silent auctions, Luxury Raffle Package and a musical performance from Canadian country music icon, Michelle Wright.

Eric Rosendahl, MLA for the West Yellowhead constituency and a Lakeland alumnus, described Lakeland College as an important hub of the community and as being integral to building a prosperous future for Albertans.

“Lakeland College plays a key role in Alberta’s post-secondary education system, the local community and across our province,” he said to guests. “The college does an outstanding job of serving its community, supporting Alberta businesses, and educating and inspiring Alberta’s leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr. Richard Starke, MLA for the Vermilion-Lloydminster constituency, told guests that Lakeland College’s focus on student improvement is what continues to make the college successful today.

“Our greatest resource in Alberta is our human resource. And our greatest form of upgrading and refining is not what happens in a plant or facility, but it’s what happens in our schools and colleges and universities,” he said in his address. “To upgrade that human resource and to allow our young people and even our not so young people to achieve their full potential – that is really the key to why Lakeland College and why our post-secondary educational institutions are so critical to our province, to Canada and the whole world. Because what we are doing here in this quiet corner of east-central Alberta in Lloydminster and Vermilion truly is changing the world.”

Joining nearly 400 gala guests were numerous Lakeland College alumni, including Rosendahl; Rob Saunders, mayor of the City of Lloydminster; and Daryl Watt, reeve of the County of Vermilion River. Bruce MacDuff, mayor of the Town of Vermilion, also attended.

Lakeland College thanks all of the 2016 President’s Gala sponsors for their overwhelming support and dedication to student success. More than $1.3 million in awards, scholarships and bursaries is expected to be distributed among 1,440 Lakeland students before the end of this academic year.

Photos: Above, Lakeland College students – Stephanie Wakefield and Lucas Tetreault – emceed the 2016 President’s Gala. Bottom, Michelle Wright performed at the event on April 8.